Al McBean

Alvin O'Neal McBean

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 180 lb.
• High School Charlotte Amalie High School
• Debut July 2, 1961
• Final Game May 10, 1970
• Born May 15, 1938 in Charlotte Amalie, V.I.
• Died January 31, 2024 in Charlotte Amalie, V.I.

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Biographical Information

Alvin O'Neal "Al" McBean, the first big-league pitcher from the Virgin Islands, was a good one. His hard sinker and limber, resilient arm made him valuable as a starter and even more as a reliever. Throwing from various arm angles as the spirit moved him, McBean was somewhat reminiscent of Orlando Hernandez, the more recent hurler from Cuba. But what really distinguished the St. Thomas native - whom Red Schoendienst called "the funniest man I've ever seen in a baseball uniform" - was his love of playing for the crowd. Al had a name as a flashy, "mod" dresser too.

McBean pitched ten seasons in the majors, mostly with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was a reliever except in 1962 and 1968 when he started most of his games. His best seasons were 1962, when he went 15-10 as a starter; 1963, when he went 13-3 with 11 saves as a reliever; 1964, when he had 22 saves and 1965 when he had 18 saves. In 1967 as a reliever he had a 7-4 record with a 2.54 ERA.

His 22 saves in 1964 were second in the National League (only one behind the leader).

He was in the minors from 1958-1961 and again in 1970 and 1971. Doing some starting and some relieving, his minor league record was 41-30. In his last minor league season, one in which he went 10-6 for the Eugene Emeralds, the 20-year-old Greg Luzinski was a teammate.

His cousin Victor McBean also played professionally.

Notable Achievements

• NL Reliever of the Year Award Winner (1964)
• 15 Wins Seasons: 1 (1962)

Related Sites

• Al McBean at the SABR Bio Project
• Longer biography at Baseball in the Virgin Islands